Each day is a big one for Daniel Jones as he works toward returning to the playing field. He continues to progress on the practice field.
The Giants quarterback returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant. Beforehand, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett told reporters that Jones (hamstring), who sat out last week's win over the Seahawks, "looked good" during a workout following the team's walk-through on Wednesday. Coach Joe Judge cautioned there are "a lot of things we still have to see" before making a determination on the young QB's status for Sunday versus the Cardinals.
The plan is for Jones to split first-team reps with Colt McCoy this week. Defensive back Darnay Holmes (knee), linebacker Blake Martinez (back) and offensive tackle Matt Peart (ankle) were also limited in practice.
New York (5-7) has won four straight to catapult to first place in the NFC East.
Here's other news, injuries and transactions we're tracking on Thursday:
- The New England Patriots pulled QB Cam Newtonand inserted Jarrett Stidham with 10:12 to go in the fourth quarter after an abysmal night. Newton went 9-of-16 for 119 yards and tossed an interception. He also rushed seven times or 16 yards. Running back Damien Harris exited early in the fourth quarter against the Rams with an apparent injury. Harris (back) and receiver Donte Moncrief (thigh) did not return after their second-half injuries. The Pats activated tight end Devin Asiasi ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. In a corresponding move, New England placed TE Ryan Izzo on injured reserve. Injured receiver Julian Edelman was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Safety Darian Stewart, who helped the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50, announced Thursday on Instagram he is retiring. After going undrafted in 2010 out of South Carolina, he was a starter for most of a 10-year career that included stops with the Rams and Ravens and concluded with the Buccaneers in 2019. He made a Pro Bowl with Denver in 2016 as a key member of its "No-Fly Zone" secondary.
- New York Jets rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims will not play Sunday versus the Seahawks after returning home to Texas this week to deal with a family emergency, per coach Adam Gase.
- Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule said he doesn't expect running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) to play Sunday versus the Broncos. CMC did not practice Thursday. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (back), receiver Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and running back Phillip Lindsay (knee) were full participants on Thursday. Offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (foot) was a DNP. The team also announced wideout Diontae Spencer has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Injured tight end Jake Butt has been designated for return.
- Los Angeles Chargers cornerbacks Chris Harris (foot) and Casey Hayward (hamstring) were limited on Thursday, while offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga did not practice for non-injury related reasons.
- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) did not practice for the second day in a row.
- Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said cornerback Denzel Ward (calf) and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring) will remain out of practice Thursday. Stefanski said he "wouldn’t call it a long shot" that Ward plays versus the Ravens on Monday. "I'm hopeful. But I can't peg it with a percentage," he said. Stefanski said guard Wyatt Teller is still on track to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list this week and play Monday.
- The Tennessee Titans activated defensive back Chris Jackson from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he wasn't sure whether cornerback Jimmy Smith (groin) would practice Thursday but noted there's a chance he plays Monday versus the Browns. Wide receiver Dez Bryant was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Harbaugh said the veteran wideout remains in the team's plans moving forward. The Ravens also announced that WR Willie Snead has been activated from the team's reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Washington running back Antonio Gibson, who was diagnosed with turf toe, did not practice for the second straight day. "It is concerning, and we'll see how it plays out the next two days," coach Ron Rivera told reporters, while adding that Gibson had "a couple good days" with a trainer. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin (ankle) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday. Injured WR Antonio Gandy-Golden has been designated for return.
- Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) remained out of practice. Minnesota also signed tight end Hale Hentges off of the Colts practice squad.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (finger) returned to practice as a full participant, while Mike Evans (hamstring) was out Thursday.
- The Dallas Cowboys placed cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Injured center Tyler Biadasz has been designation for return.
- Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (neck/back) did not practice Thursday and running back Kenyan Drake (hip) was limited. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (not-injury related, neck/back) did not practice for the second straight day.
- New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees attended practice Thursday but worked off to the side in a hat. Wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle) remained limited and running back Latavius Murray (knee) was added to the injury report as a limited participant.
- Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) did not practice for the second day in a row. Tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) was full-go after being limited Wednesday.
- Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tyler Eifert (shoulder) returned as a limited participant Thursday, while wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (thumb) remained out.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers placed starting linebacker Vince Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (knee) was limited Thursday. Guard Jason Peters (toe) did not practice.
- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (toe) returned as a full participant Thursday after being out Wednesday. Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (knee) and linebacker Bobby Okereke (ankle) were limited. Indy signed OL Will Holden to its 53-man roster off of the Ravens' practice squad.
- Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (thumb) and running back D'Andre Swift (illness) remained limited, while wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hip) and cornerback Jeff Okudah (groin) did not practice for the second straight day. Running back Kerryon Johnson (knee) was full-go after being limited Wednesday.
- The Green Bay Packers activated running back AJ Dillon from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Wide receivers Allen Lazard (core) and Equanimeous St. Brown (knee/concussion) were limited in practice Thursday.
- The Chicago Bears announced they have placed punt returner/receiver DeAndre Carter on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Also on Thursday, linebacker Khalil Mack (shoulder) did not practice for a second-straight day, while WR Allen Robinson (knee) was limited for a second day in a row.
- Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (concussion/neck) did not practice Thursday, while running back Josh Jacobs (ankle), center Rodney Hudson (knee), and safety Johnathan Abram (knee) were limited.
- Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (foot/neck) was limited in practice, but wideout Keke Coutee (knee) was a full-go after he was limited on Wednesday. Running backs Duke Johnson and C.J. Prosise were limited due to illness.
- Seattle Seahawks defensive end Carlos Dunlap (foot) did not practice Thursday and running back Chris Carson (foot) was once again limited.